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Ten years ago, few people living in large cities would have imagined sharing their neighbourhood with thousands of honeybees. Today, hives can be found on the roofs of offices, hotels and even schools. Supporters of urban beekeeping say the trend reconnects city dwellers with nature, while critics warn that it may not be as helpful to the environment as it first appears.
One reason for the growth of rooftop hives is that cities can be surprisingly good places for bees. Parks, private gardens and the trees that line many streets flower at different times of the year, so bees in a city often find food over a longer season than bees in the countryside, where large fields may contain a single crop. City bees are also exposed to fewer of the chemicals used on farms.
However, some ecologists are concerned. Honeybees are only one of hundreds of bee species, and most wild bees live alone rather than in large colonies. When too many hives are placed in one district, honeybees may take nectar and pollen that wild bees need. In a few cities, researchers have suggested limiting the number of new hives until more is known about this competition.
Many beekeepers now argue that planting is more important than keeping bees. A single hive needs a large area of flowers to stay healthy, so a company that installs a hive without improving the green space around it may do more harm than good. For this reason, several urban projects ask building owners to add flower beds or green roofs before any bees arrive.
Rooftop hives also have an educational role. Schoolchildren who visit them learn how food is produced and why pollinators matter. Beekeepers say that once people have watched bees at work, they are far more likely to choose plants that support insects in their own gardens.